Two New York Men Apprehended After Christiana Mall Jewelry Store Robbery

Location:
Zales Jewelry Store, Christiana Mall, 311 Christiana Mall Road, Newark, DE

Date of Occurrence:
Monday, August 6, 2012 at 2:17 p.m.

Victim:
Four female employees

Defendants/Charges/ Bond Information:
Phillip A. Collier-40 of Brooklyn,NY (photo attached, white shirt)
Robbery First Degree (4 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (4 counts)
Kidnapping Second Degree (4 counts)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony
Receiving a Stolen Firearm
Conspiracy Second Degree
Committed to HRYCI on $978,000 Cash Bond

Andre Lynch-40 of Brooklyn, NY (photo attached, red shirt)
Robbery First Degree (4 counts)
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (4 counts)
Kidnapping Second Degree (4 counts)
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
Receiving a Stolen Firearm
Conspiracy Second Degree
Committed to HRYCI on $978,000 Cash Bond

Resume:
Newark-Delaware State Police apprehended two Brooklyn, New York men shortly after committing an armed robbery at the Zales Jewelry Store in the Christiana Mall, yesterday afternoon.

The incident occurred on Monday, August 6, 2012 at approximately 2:17 p.m. as a male suspect later identified as Phillip A. Collier-40 of Brooklyn, NY entered the Zales Jewelry Store and approached a female employee and asked to look at engagement rings. After looking at several rings, Collier reached into his waistband, produced a semi-automatic handgun and pointed it at the female employee, demanding that she put jewelry into a “tote” style bag that he also produced. Collier also ordered the three other female employees at gunpoint to assist in filling the bag with jewelry. After loading the bag with the merchandise, Collier ordered all four female employees into a bathroom/office inside of the store. Collier then fled on foot from the store and into the Macy’s store located adjacent to the Zales. After Collier fled the store, one of the Zale’s employees contacted a Christiana Mall Security Officer and advised him of the robbery and was able to provide a description of the suspect. The Christiana Mall Security dispatch centered issued a general broadcast to its officers with details of the robbery and suspect description. A second Christiana Mall Security Officer spotted a suspect matching the description exit the Macy’s store and get into a brown Ford Expedition with Georgia registration, and exit the mall onto I95. The suspect vehicle information was immediately relayed to the Delaware State Police Communications Center, and a general broadcast was issued for the suspect vehicle.

A Delaware State Trooper, working a special duty construction assignment on I95 near the Christiana Mall, observed the Ford Expedition traveling I95 northbound from the Christiana Mall and began to follow it. After being joined by several other Troopers, a vehicle stop was conducted at approximately 2:36 p.m. on I295 eastbound in the area of RT9, New Castle. The vehicle’s operator, later identified as Andre Lynch-40 of Brooklyn, NY was taken into custody without incident. Collier was found to be lying in a prone position in the rear seat of the vehicle. After being removed from the vehicle it was discovered that Collier was laying on top of a fully loaded Sig Sauer 9mm handgun, reported stolen from Virginia Beach, VA in January of 2010. The jewelry taken, valued at over $160,000, was recovered inside of the vehicle.

Collier and Lynch were arrested and charged with the above crimes, arraigned and committed to Howard R. Young Correctional Center on $978,000 cash Bond each.

Troopers continue to investigate this incident. Surveillance footage of the incident is not available as the investigation continues.